What is mental health?
Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.
Source: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response
What is mental illness?
Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking, or behavior (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work, or family activities.
Mental illness is treatable. The vast majority of individuals with mental illness continue to function in their daily lives.
Source: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness
What causes mental illnesses?
It’s becoming clearer and clearer through research that challenges with mental health are caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
If someone got a mental disorder diagnosis, can that person ever get better again?
Treatment can help a person to get better according to the disorder. In some cases, full recovery can be achieved through adequate treatment.
What are the warning signs of a mental illness?
Symptoms of mental health disorders vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Concentration problems
- Long-lasting sadness or irritability
- Recurrent energy changes
- Extremely high and low moods
- Excessive fear, worry, or anxiety
- Social withdrawal
- Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits
- Strong feelings of anger
- Delusions or hallucination
- Increasing inability to cope with daily problems and activities
- Suicidal thoughts
- Confused thinking
- Drugs and/or alcohol abuse